Results of 4th of July Weekend Sobriety Checkpoint

The Crime Task Force (CTF) – Motor Strike Team of the Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD) South Traffic Division (STD), in support of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (S.T.E.P.), conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Saturday, July 7, 2007, between the hours of 6:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. The checkpoint was located at Western Avenue between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and 41st Drive. The officers screened drivers southbound on Western Avenue from Martin Luther King Blvd.

This operation was conducted in an effort to reduce the incident of injuries, death, and property damage associated with the intoxicated driver at this location. Western Avenue was identified as one of the "Greatest Risk Streets" in LAPDs' Operation-South Bureau. The checkpoint served as a reminder to these South Los Angeles communities to use designated drivers and not drink and drive.

The Operation resulted in the following activity:

•1224 vehicles drove through the checkpoint
•266 drivers were screened
•10 field sobriety tests were conducted at the checkpoint
•10 DUI arrests were conducted at the checkpoint
•1 Felony arrest for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer
•1 Misdemeanor arrest for possession of Narco Paraphernalia
•49 vehicles were impounded
•41 citations were issued either for Suspended/Revoked or Unlicensed Driver violations
•21 citations were issued for numerous moving violations

Funding for this checkpoint came from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. We can all help make our streets safer. Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911.

Further questions surrounding the checkpoint results can be directed to Sergeant Arturo Gomez, South Traffic Division, Driving Under the Influence Enforcement Detail. He can be reached at
213-485-7336.